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Breaking News: Governor Sim Fubara Returns Government House Amid Renewed Hope and Seaming Uncertainties
Favour Bibaikefie
River State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has made a low-profile return to the Government House in Port Harcourt, quietly stepping back into the state’s seat of power after nearly three months away. His reappearance marks a turning point in what has been one of the most turbulent political episodes in the State’s recent democratic history-one characterized by federal intervention,
constitutional debates, and widespread public concern.
The political standoff began on March 18, 2025, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a six-month state, citing a breakdown in political stability and warning of a looming constitutional crisis. The decision saw the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers state House of Assembly. By the next day, Fubara had vacated the Government House under tight security, retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as sole administrator. The usually lively Government House soon became a fortress-guarded by federal troops and ringed with armoured vehicles-cut off from the public and symbolic of a centralised command.
Despite this, everyday life in Port Harcourt continued, though a quiet disquiet settled over residents concerned about democratic backsliding, a lack of representation, and the uncertain future of their state.
That uncertainty shifted on June 4 when Governor Fubara was discreetly seen entering the Government House, this time with fewer aides and a smaller security team. There were jo press briefing or official ceremonies-but his presence sent a clear signal:Fubara was back in office.
According to sources close to the matter, his return followed delicate negotiations between federal representatives and respected elders from Rivers State. Although the state of emergency remains officially in place until September, a “soft transition ” has reportedly been agreed upon. Under this arrangement, Vice Admiral Ibas continues in his role as federal liaison, but Governor Fubara is expected to resume key Governance duties, particularly in administration and budgeting.
In a brief conversation with our correspondent shortly after settling back into his office, Governor Fubara expressed a spirit of reconciliation:
We are here to prove a point. We are here to continue the work the people elected us to do. This house does not belong to me. It belongs to River people, and I’m just a servant.”
Nonetheless, the governor returns to a changed political climate.The stated assembly remains inoperative,it’s activities halted under emergency conditions. Political analysts anticipate a battle for authority and legitimacy once the legislature resumes.
Meanwhile, many major infrastructure projects and financial decisions have been on hold since March, with federal officials temporary managing sate funds. Remaining control over the state’s finances is expected to be one of Fubara’s top priorities.
Adding further complexity is the continuing political influence of former governor Nyesom Wike-now serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory-and the main adversary of Fubara. Wike’s loyalists within the State Assembly are likely to resist any moves by Fubara to fully consolidate power.
At the same time, civil society groups and youth-led organisations are beginning to mobilize, calling for greater accountability and demanding a definitive end to the emergency rule.
Governor Fubara’s return is being viewed by many as both a comeback and a test of political durability. The road ahead is filled with procedural ambiguities, institutional resistance, and the unresolved tension of recent months.
Yet, despite the uncertainty, there’s a cautious sense of renewal-a belief that governance in Rivers State might, once again, align itself with the will of its people rather than the pressure of political power.
As the sun sets over the palm-fringed lawns of the government house, it’s lights shines once more-signalling not just Governor Fubara’s return, but the beginning a new and uncertain chapter in the state’s unfolding political drama.
Breaking
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR AMUPITAN AS INEC CHAIRMAN
The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.
President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.
Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
October 9, 2025
By: Divine Perezide
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed media reports suggesting that it has suspended the Delineation of Electoral Wards in Warri Federal Constituency, covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.
The rebuttal followed a report by the Punch Newspaper claiming that an INEC official had hinted at a suspension in connection with the Supreme Court judgement of December 2, 2022. INEC clarified such reports were misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday, INEC emphasized “the commission has not taken any decision regarding the delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency. Reports alleging suspension are inaccurate and do not reflect the position of INEC.
The Commission noted that it remains committed to upholding the Supreme Court judgment but insisted that due process and broad consultation must guide every step of the delineation process.
A senior Electoral Officer, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, stressed that INEC’s mandate cannot be subjected to misrepresentation. “We must be clear: no suspension has been declared. What we have is an ongoing consultation process to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional provisions,” he stated.
The Supreme Court ruling of December 2022 had directed INEC to ensure fair representation of all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency by reviewing and delineation wards accordingly.
INEC assured stakeholders, particularly in Delta State, that it would communicate its position at the appropriate time, adding that it remains committed to transparent and credible Electoral Reforms.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the withdrawal of services at Dangote Refinery and all Oil Installations following what it described as the unlawful dismissal of more than 80 of its members.
In a statement released by the union, the PENGASSAN condemned whT it termed “Dangote Refinery unilateral action to sack ova 800 members of our association for joining our union,” BBC Pidgin reported.
The association further described the move as “an affront to all workers for Nigeria and deliberate violation of Nigeria labour laws, di Constitution, and ILO convention.”
The mass sack has drawn significant concerns across labour circles, with PENGASSAN warning that such practices could set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of workers in the country’s oil and gas sector.
Reacting to the development, Dangote Refinery said it had taken necessary steps within the boundaries of law and industrial practice. While the company the company did not provide a detailed explanation for the dismissal, it insisted its actions were guided by operational realities.
Labour watchers say the dispute could escalate into a major confrontation unless urgent mediation is initiated by the federal government via the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The refinery, commissioned to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s energy sector, now faces its first major labour crisis since operations began.